New Delhi, March 21: Tensions in the Hormuz Strait remain high as numerous countries express their discontent over Iran’s recent actions in the Middle East. A coalition of nations has condemned Iran’s threats to close the Strait and issued a joint statement urging the country to halt its attacks.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania have come together to address the situation in the Hormuz Strait.
The joint statement reads, “We strongly condemn Iran’s recent attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, as well as assaults on oil and gas installations and civilian infrastructure. We express our deep concern over the escalating conflict and appeal to Iran to cease its threats to obstruct commercial shipping in the Strait, including mine laying, drone and missile strikes, and other attempts, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817.”
Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, which includes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The actions of Iran will impact people worldwide, particularly the most vulnerable. According to UNSC Resolution 2817, we stress that such interference in international shipping and disruptions to the global energy supply chain pose a threat to international peace and security. We call for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
All nations have called for efforts to ensure safe passage through the Hormuz Strait, stating, “We are ready to assist in the right efforts to secure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of countries preparing contingency plans. We also support the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorize the release of strategic petroleum reserves to stabilize the energy market, which may include increasing output in collaboration with certain producing nations.”
They added, “We will also work through the United Nations and IFIs to provide assistance to the most affected countries. Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all nations. We urge all countries to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of global prosperity and security.”
–
KK/VC
Leave a Comment